Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Silas and Liam exited the room and closed the door behind them to offer Alyssa and Julien some privacy.

"Julien..." Alyssa called out to him softly.

Suddenly, she found herself at a loss for words. It did not seem like an appropriate time to comfort him or discuss his relationship with Jonah.

After what felt like a long silence, Julien hung his head low as a tear rolled down his cheek. "Lyse, I'm sorry."

Shaking her head furiously, she gently comforted him, "Julien, this is not your fault. You don't owe anyone an apology. There's nothing wrong in loving Jonah."

"It's my fault." Julien mumbled with his head kept low like a criminal. His confident self was nowhere to be seen. "Aunt Mandy was right. I ruined Jonah's life. Things would have been different if I had listened to her.

"Lyse, I am at fault. I'm being selfish. I would rather be the one to pay the price. I'm willing to sacrifice anything as long as Jonah isn't hurt. I would like everything to go back to how it was, but I think it's too late."

A wave of pain rolled through her. She had a lump in her throat. Putting aside Jonah's suffering, Julien seemed to be utterly destroyed.

a senior I'm on good terms with. He's a renowned neurologist who pays attention to details and is

to treat Mr. Winston. He's as good as

croaked, "Julien, what about you?

bitter smile. "I will likely never return after this trip

Jonah going to cope if you leave?" She worriedly grabbed his arm. "You love Jonah very much. You should know him well. Do you remember his reaction when

assumed all the responsibility because he didn't want you scolded and harassed. He'd risk

meet her gaze. An

be with you." She grasped his arm so hard that his coat sleeve wrinkled. "What does your relationship mean if you

beaten by family and disowned just to return to Jonah's side. Is this the outcome you

down and cried. "But Lyse, what good does it do? Society will not accept us. Your dad and your entire

give everything up for Jonah, but I don't want him to lose everything for me. He needs to be the happiest man in the world, or I'd rather have never

him intensely and said, "And that is you

up

violently at